Yankees’ Rivera tosses first bullpen session

Posted Mar 1, 2010 by TBO.com

Updated Mar 1, 2010 at 05:56 PM

Closer Mariano Rivera threw 21 pitches on Monday during his first mound session since helping the New York Yankees win the World Series last year.

Rivera has been on a slower spring training schedule the past few years. The 40-year old right-hander had another stellar season in 2009, going 3-3 with 44 saves and a 1.76 ERA in 66 games.

“Hey Mo, welcome to spring training,” Yankees bullpen coach Mike Harkey joked.

Rivera will work off a bullpen mound again Wednesday and could throw batting practice next week. He should make the first of his eight or nine appearances in mid-March.

“The first bullpen, I feel real good,” Rivera said. “I think at this age, I definitely have an idea of what I have to do. It’s spring training, you come to get ready. In my case, I don’t have to come in and impress anybody. I just have to make sure I’m ready for the season. That’s what I try to do.”

Rivera, again, said entering the final season of a three-year contract is not a distraction.

“I have a job right now,” Rivera said. “It’s not like I don’t have a job. I’m OK with it. All I have to focus on is, help the team, be in shape and have a great year. After that, it’s not in my control.”

Rivera would like to end his career in pinstripes.

“I definitely want to do it,” Rivera said. “But again, this is a business.”

Also, A.J. Burnett, Saturday’s scheduled starter against Toronto, threw 30 pitches in his first batting practice session.

“It was a good day,” Burnett said. “I feel strong.”

Left-handed reliever Damaso Marte and recently acquired right-hander Chan Ho Park also threw off the mound for the first time.
-The Associated Press